Closure made of a flexible plastic for containers, especially for bottles

ABSTRACT

The inventive closure includes an annular part, to which a lid is joined by a hinge, and a the spout that is pushed inside the annular part. When pushing the spout into the annular part, the edge of the spout abuts against segments and is thus brought into the optimal drop-preventing shape. When closing the lid, the air in the slot can escape through the outlets so that it does not impede the closing or have the tendency to open the closure. Also during closing, the upper end of the spout comes into contact with the supporting surfaces, which are arranged in an interspaced manner inside the slot, whereby remaining liquid can be accommodated in the cavities.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Swiss Application 2000 2303/00 filed in Switzerland on Nov. 27, 2000, and under 35 U.S.C. §120 to PCT/EP01/12955 filed as an International Application on Nov. 9, 2001, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field

[0003] The invention relates to a closure of flexible plastic for containers, in particular bottles, having a ring which has means for securing it to the container neck, having a lid which is joined to the ring by means of a hinge and has a stopper that is surrounded on the upper end by an annular slot, having a tubular spout, which can be introduced sealingly by its lower end into the container neck and on the upper end has a drip-preventing edge of the spout, which when the closure is closed engages the annular slot of the lid.

[0004] 2. Background Information

[0005] One such closure is disclosed in a one-piece embodiment in Spanish patent disclosure EP-A-9103392, for instance. Two-piece versions are described in European patent disclosure EP 0 685 406, Spanish Utility Model 87024456, Brazilian Utility Model 7400915, and in French patent disclosure FR-A-2749565 and BR-A-9605553 that corresponds to it.

[0006] This known prior art will now be described in further detail in conjunction with FIGS. 1-4. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a known closure is shown, of the kind found in EP-A-0 685 406, Spanish Utility Model 9103392 and Brazilian Utility Model 7400915. This closure has a ring 11, which has means 13 for securing it to the container neck 15. The lid 17 is joined to the ring 11 by means of a hinge 19 and has a stopper 21, which is surrounded on the upper end by an annular slot 23. The tubular spout 25 is embodied as a separate part. The spout 25 can be introduced sealingly by its lower end 27 into the container neck 15. On the upper end 28, it has a drip-preventing edge 29 of the spout, which when the closure is closed (FIG. 2) engages the annular slot 23.

[0007] The edge 29 of the spout has the usual shape, which can be described by saying that the edge is curved outward and downward.

[0008] The spout 25 has a collar 31, which in cross section, together with the outlet wall, has the shape of an inverted U.

[0009] When the closure is seated on the neck 15 of the bottle, various sealing points exist, namely between the lower part 27 of the spout 25 and the inner wall of the container neck 15; between the collar 31 and the upper end of the neck 15 of the bottle; between the stopper 21 and the inner wall of the spout 25; and between the bottom 24 of the slot 23 and the upper portion 28 of the spout 25.

[0010] In FR-A-2 749 565 (BOER-A-9605553), an improvement in the seal between the spout and the lid is proposed, as will now be described in further detail in conjunction with FIG. 3. An annular flange 35 is disposed coaxially to the stopper 21, so that between them an annular slot 23 is formed. When the closure is closed, this slot 23 fittingly receives the upper end 23 of the spout 25, whereupon the end 28 of the spout comes to rest, or is intended to come to rest, on the bottom 24 of the slot 23. A disadvantage of this is that when the closure is closed after use of the container, air remains caught in the annular slot 23, becomes compressed, and has the tendency to reopen the closure. The same is correspondingly true for liquid residues, such as oil, adhering to the spout 25 after liquid has been poured out. To counteract the tendency to unwanted opening, this reference proposes the provision of a snap device of the kind disclosed for instance by FR-A-2706425. This known device is shown in FIG. 4. The locking of the lid 17 is provided by the bead 41, which extends annularly around the stopper 21 and which upon closure of the lid 17 is thrust over the annular bead 43 in the interior of the spout 25. A disadvantage of this is that a relatively great expenditure of force is required for closure. Another disadvantage is that such beads make mold construction more expensive and unmolding of the closures more difficult, because the beads have to be pulled out of the indentations in the mold.

SUMMARY

[0011] The present invention is directed to improving a closure of the generic type defined at the outset. In particular, a closure is to be created that is simple in design and nevertheless assures secure closure. According to the invention, in a closure of the type defined at the outset, this is attained in that the annular slot has at least one outlet. Upon closure of the closure, the air in the annular slot can flow out through this outlet, so that an overpressure having the tendency to lift the lid off again cannot be created in the slot.

[0012] Expediently, the annular slot is formed by the space between the stopper and an annular flange disposed coaxially to the stopper. This makes it possible for the respective outlet to be formed by a slit in the annular flange.

[0013] Advantageously, the diameter of the spout measured via the edge of the spout is somewhat greater than the outer diameter d_(n) of the annular slot. Upon insertion of the spout into the annular closure part, the edge of the spout therefore enters into contact with the annular flange and is bent downward. As a result, it is given an optimal shape, which in use of the container acts to prevent dripping.

[0014] Expediently, supporting surfaces for the spout are provided, spaced apart from one another, on the bottom of the annular slot. Because these supporting surfaces are in contact with the spout, when the closure is placed on the container, the forces acting on the lid are transmitted to the spout. Since the spout rests only on these supporting surfaces, there is an interstice between the upper end of the closure and the bottom of the slot, in which small residues of liquid that might be adhering to the spout find space, so that they do not escape from the outlet.

[0015] A collar on the spout can be provided, which when the closure is placed on the container neck comes to rest on the end of the container neck. The lid advantageously has inner cuffs which rest on the collar when the closure is closed. These cuffs likewise serve to transmit the force from the lid to the spout when the closure is placed on the container.

[0016] The closure can be made in one piece or two pieces. In the two-piece version, the tubular spout is inserted as a separate part into the ring.

[0017] As in the prior art described in the introduction, it can have a proof-of-originality strip that can be broken off.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] One exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the drawing. For better comprehension of the invention, however, the known prior art has been described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1-4. Shown schematically and not to scale are:

[0019]FIG. 1, a known two-piece closure in the open state;

[0020]FIG. 2, the closure of FIG. 1 in the closed state;

[0021]FIG. 3, a known refinement of the closure of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0022]FIG. 4, a further known closure with a snap device;

[0023]FIG. 5, a section through an exemplary embodiment of the closure of the invention after it has been placed on a container neck;

[0024]FIG. 6, a view of the closure of FIG. 5 from below, but without the spout inserted;

[0025]FIG. 7, a section not to scale taken along the line A-A in FIG. 6;

[0026]FIG. 8, a section not to scale taken along the line B-B in FIG. 6;

[0027]FIG. 9, a section not to scale taken along the line C-C in FIG. 6; and

[0028]FIG. 10, the insertion of the spout into the other closure part.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The closure in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 5-9 has a design similar to the known closure that has been described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3. The exemplary embodiment has a two-piece embodiment. However, it would also be possible to make the closure in one piece. The closure has a ring 11, which has means 13 for fastening to the container neck 15. The lid 17 is joined to the ring 11 by means of a hinge 19 and has a stopper 21. The tubular spout 25 is inserted as a separate part into the ring 11 and after the insertion forms a unit with the ring. Such units are used for closing the containers. The fastening means 13 engage the container neck 15, and the spout 25 rests sealingly with its lower end 27 on the inner wall of the container neck 15.

[0030] The spout 25 on its upper end 28, has a drip-preventing edge 29 of the spout, which has the usual shape, that is, is curved outward and downward. In the production of the spout 25, the diameter d_(v) measured via the edges 29 of the spout can be made somewhat larger than the outer diameter d_(n) of the slot 23. When the closure is put together, the edge 29 of the spout therefore strikes the flange 35 and thus put into the optimal drip-preventing shape (FIG. 10). The spout 25 has a collar 31, which together with the spout wall has the form of an inverted U. After the closure is put in place, the collar 31 rests on the upper end 33 of the container neck. A grid 34 that serves to regulate the flow is embodied in the interior of the spout 25 in a known manner.

[0031] An annular flange 35 is disposed on the lid 17, coaxially with the stopper, so that an annular slot 23 is formed between the stopper 21 and the flange 35.

[0032] In contrast to the prior art described at the outset, however, there is at least one outlet or slit 45. As FIG. 6 shows, this outlet can for instance be embodied as an opening in the annular flange 35. In the exemplary embodiment shown, six such outlets 45 or openings are provided, so that the annular flange 35 is divided into six segments 47.

[0033] As FIG. 6 in combination with FIG. 9 shows, supporting surfaces 50 for the upper end 28 of the spout 25 are located on the bottom 24 of the slot 23, spaced apart from one another. As FIGS. 7 and 8 show, between the upper end 28 of the spout 25 and the bottom 24 there are thus cavities 49, in which any residual liquid adhering to the edge 29 of the spout can be received. In contrast to the prior art described, no sealing takes place between the end 28 and the bottom 24. It can be seen, however, that upon closure of the lid 17, no air remains caught in the slot 23 but instead can escape through the outlets 45 between the segments 47.

[0034] Cuffs 52 are embodied on the lid 17, distributed over its circumference; when the closure is closed, they rest on the collar 31. When the closure is placed on the container neck 15, they have the task of transmitting forces from the lid to the collar 31.

[0035] The exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 also shows a proof-of-originality strip 55 that can be broken away.

[0036] In summary, the following can be stated:

[0037] The closure comprises both the annular part 11, to which a lid 17 is pivotably connected by means of the hinge 19, and the spout 25 that is inserted into the annular part 11. When the spout 25 is inserted, the edge 29 of the spout strikes the segments 47 and is thus put into the optimal drip-preventing shape. Upon closure of the lid 17, the air in the slot can escape through the outlets 45, so that the air does not hinder the closing or have the tendency to open the closure. Moreover upon closing, the upper end 28 of the spout 25 comes into contact with the supporting surfaces 50; which are spaced apart from one another in the slot 23, and any liquid residues can be held in the cavities 49.

[0038] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restricted. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and all changes that come within the meaning and range and equivalence thereof are intended to be embraced therein. 

1. A closure of flexible plastic for containers, comprising: a ring which has means for securing the closure to a container neck; a lid which is joined to the ring by means of a hinge; and a stopper that is surrounded on an upper end by an annular slot, having a tubular spout, which can be introduced sealingly by its lower end into the container neck and on the upper end has a drip-preventing edge of the spout, which when the closure is closed, engages the annular slot of the lid.
 2. The closure of claim 1, wherein the annular slot is formed by a space between the stopper and an annular flange disposed coaxially to the stopper.
 3. The closure of claim 2, wherein the outlet is formed by a slit in the annular flange.
 4. The closure of claim 1, wherein a diameter (d_(v)) of the spout measured via edges of the spout is greater than an outer diameter (d_(n)) of the annular slot.
 5. The closure of claim 1, wherein supporting surfaces for an end of the spout are provided, spaced apart from one another, on a bottom of the annular slot.
 6. The closure of claim 1, wherein a collar on the spout is provided, which when the closure is placed on the container neck comes to rest on an end of the container neck.
 7. The closure of claim 6, wherein the lid has cuffs which rest on the collar when the closure is closed.
 8. The closure of one of claim 1, formed as one piece.
 9. The closure of claim 1, wherein the spout is inserted as a separate part into the ring.
 10. The closure of claim 1, comprising a proof-of-originality strip that can be broken off.
 11. A closure of flexible plastic for containers, comprising: a ring which has means for the closure to a container neck; a lid which is joined to the ring by means of a hinge; and a stopper that is surrounded on an upper end by an annular slot, having a tubular spout, which can be introduced sealingly by its lower end into the container neck and on the upper end has a drip-preventing edge of the spout, which when the closure is closed, engages the annular slot of the lid, wherein a diameter (d_(v)) of the spout measured via edges of the spout is greater than an outer diameter (d_(n)) of the annular slot.
 12. The closure of claim 3, wherein a diameter (d_(v)) of the spout measured via edges of the spout is greater than an outer diameter (d_(n)) of the annular slot.
 13. The closure of claim 12, wherein supporting surfaces for an end of the spout are provided, spaced apart from one another, on a bottom of the annular slot.
 14. The closure of claim 13, wherein a collar on the spout is provided, which when the closure is placed on the container neck comes to rest on an end of the container neck.
 15. The closure of claim 14, wherein the lid has cuffs which rest on the collar when the closure is closed.
 16. The closure of claim 15, formed as one piece.
 17. The closure of one of claim 16, wherein the spout is inserted as a separate part into the ring.
 18. The closure of claim 17, comprising a proof-of-originality strip that can be broken off. 